Do I Need to Take Any Action or Reapply To Get Extended Unemployment Benefit Weeks Under PUA, PEUC, EB or $300 FPUC – Updated for September 2021 Extension

Enhanced unemployment benefits have been extended twice in 2021 following the initial rollout and funding in 2020. You can jump to the relevant extension via the links below to get more details on the claimant actions and key dates around getting unemployment benefits under each of the extensions. These are based on general Department of Labor (DOL) guidelines and you should refer to your state UI website for more information

Biden ARP Extension (March 15th, 2021 to September 6th, 2021)

Based on past and soon to be released DOL guidelines for state unemployment agencies we can infer what actions claimants need to take (if any) based on the status of their claim as of March 15th, 2021 (or week ending March 20th or 21st depending on state). This date is important since it is the first week of funding for the latest unemployment extensions until September 6th. Refer to the prior CAA update below for rules and key dates related to that program’s extension rules and coverage. Since state unemployment agencies and departments are updating their systems for the latest extensions you will have to be patient on getting paid and being able to certify for the extended weeks.

Actively filing for PUA as of March 15th, 2021 (i.e. have a remaining balance) with no previous PEUC claim: No action is needed in this scenario to receive additional extended benefit weeks. Once your state UI agency updates their IT programs and systems to add these weeks you should see your claim balance or remaining weeks updated. Claimants should continue to file your claim and certify each week.

Actively filing for PUA with previous PEUC claim: Action is needed from the claimant: You will likely have to reapply for the PEUC program since you can only collect PUA if you have exhausted any entitlement to PEUC. Because of the additional PEUC benefits available, you are no longer eligible to receive PUA. If you continue to be unemployed or partially unemployed, you must reopen your existing PEUC claim.

Actively filing for PEUC: No action is needed from the claimant: If you are currently filing a claim under the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program the maximum amount of benefits available under the PEUC program increased from 24 weeks to 53 weeks. However the maximum weeks of coverage is only 25.

Individuals no longer filing or have exhausted their unemployment benefits: Action is needed from the claimant. If you are unemployed or partially unemployed after March 15th, 2021 you will need to reopen your PUA or PEUC claim to get coverage for the additional weeks of coverage. Claimants will need to go to their state specific UI site to file their claim or reactivate an existing claim. The process and documentation requirements will vary by state.

Actively filing for Extended Benefits: No action is needed from the claimant. If you had previously exhausted your claim for Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) and are currently filing a claim under the Extended Benefits (EB) program, no action is needed from you right now. Continue to file your claim each week for the EB program. If you later exhaust EB and continue to be unemployed or partially unemployed, you may be eligible to reopen your PEUC claim and collect these additional benefits.

Getting the $300 FPUC Payment. No action is needed from the claimant: Starting with week ending March 20th, 2021 if you are eligible for at least $1 of your underlying unemployment benefit amount for any week of unemployment, you will also receive a $300 supplemental payment under the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program. You do not need to take any additional action to receive this supplemental payment and will get it once your state UI agency updates their systems to make this payment (see the $300 FPUC state payment tracker)

Getting the $100 Mixed Earners Compensation Payment: Action is needed from the claimant. If you were previously self-employed while also getting W2 (employer) income you may be eligible for an additional $100 supplemental payment under the Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation (MEUC) program. This is provided in addition to FPUC for non-PUA recipients. You will need to file a claim with supporting documentation for this extra payment with your state UI agency.

I will update with more details once the DOL releases final guidelines and you can follow us via the options below.

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CAA Unemployment Extension (December 27th to March 14th 2021)

With the extension of enhanced unemployment programs under the Continued Assistance for Unemployed Workers Act of 2020 (COVID Relief Bill) many readers are asking if they need to take any action to get the extra 11 weeks of coverage or supplementary $300 payment between December 27th, 2020 and March 14th, 2021. Based on recent Department of Labor guidelines to state unemployment agencies we can infer what actions claimants need to take (if any) based on the status of their claim as of week ending December 26th, 2020. This date is important since it is the end of funding under the CARES act (prior stimulus bill which funded these enhanced UI programs). The new COVID funding relief bill only funds payments after this date starting from December 27th, 2020. Since state unemployment agencies and departments are updating their systems for the new changes you will have to be patient on getting paid and being able to certify for the extended weeks.

Scenario: Actively filing for PUA as of Dec 26th, 2020 (i.e. have a remaining balance) with no previous PEUC claim

If you are currently filing a claim under the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, your coverage has now been extended from 39 weeks to 50 weeks. This excludes any weeks of unemployment compensation (UC) or Extended State Benefits (EB) you may have been eligible for since January 27, 2020. No action is needed in this scenario to receive additional extended benefit weeks. Claimants should continue to file your claim and certify each week.

UI claimants who have had a significant gap in getting unemployment benefits or exhausted their original PUA benefits prior to or before December 26th, 2020 will be able to file for the extended weeks once their state UI system has been updated with the new extensions and associated program changes (see FPUC state tracker). Depending on state they may have to reopen, refile or reactivate their claim. Additional PUA benefits may only be collected for weeks ending on or after December 27, 2020.

Example (Active PUA claim): Mike was getting PUA and in continued filing status up through the week ending 12/26/20, and still had a balance remaining. With the new legislation and funding, Mike can continue to file his weekly certifications beginning with the week ending 1/02/21. He won’t have to reopen his claim. He will also be eligible to get the additional $300 extra FPUC payment.

Example (Exhausted PUA claim balance): Charlene exhausted her PUA benefits on 12/12/2020 and has a zero claim balance. She was unable to get any extended state benefits. In this situation, Charlene will need to wait for her state to implement the new PUA changes (i.e. additional documentation requirements to fight fraud) before being able reopen or reactivate her existing claim. If she is in a new benefit year, she may have to file a new claim and be denied for regular UI before getting PUA. In either situation her state UI agency will provide directions on next steps, but Charlene will likely face delays due to the time it will take states to roll out the new extensions. [I will keep posting updates on this site and encourage you to subscribe to get the latest news]

Actively filing for PUA with previous PEUC claim: Action is needed from the claimant

If you previously exhausted your claim for Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) and are currently filing a claim under the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, you will have to reapply for the PEUC program since you can only collect PUA if you have exhausted any entitlement to PEUC. Because of the additional PEUC benefits available, you are no longer eligible to receive PUA. If you continue to be unemployed or partially unemployed, you must reopen your existing PEUC claim. Your state UI agency will send instructions on how to do this and will vary on a state by state basis. Note that your PEUC claim may have a different weekly benefit amount due versus your PUA benefit to the differing calculation to state UI benefits.

Actively filing for PEUC: No action is needed from the claimant

If you are currently filing a claim under the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program the maximum amount of benefits available under the PEUC program increased from 13 weeks to 24 weeks. If you are in this situation with an active claim balance (up to and including the week ending December 26th, 2020) no action should be necessary and you start UI agency will start paying benefits from December 27, 2020. If may take a week or two for your state agency to start paying benefits, which will be retroactively caught up.

Individuals no longer filing or have exhausted their unemployment benefits: Action is needed from the claimant

If you are unemployed or partially unemployed after December 27, 2020 you will need to reopen your PUA or PEUC claim to get coverage for the 11 weeks of extended coverage. They will need to go to their state specific UI site to file their claim or reactivate an existing claim. The process and documentation requirements will vary by state.

Actively filing for Extended Benefits: No action is needed from the claimant

If you had previously exhausted your claim for Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) and are currently filing a claim under the Extended Benefits (EB) program, no action is needed from you right now. Continue to file your claim each week for the EB program. If you later exhaust EB and continue to be unemployed or partially unemployed, you may be eligible to reopen your PEUC claim and collect these additional benefits.

Getting the $300 FPUC Payment. No action is needed from the claimant

Starting with week ending January 2, 2021, if you are eligible for at least $1 of your underlying unemployment benefit amount for any week of unemployment, you will also receive a $300 supplemental payment under the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program. You do not need to take any additional action to receive this supplemental payment and will get it once your state UI agency updates their systems to make this payment (see the $300 FPUC state payment tracker)

Getting the $100 Mixed Earners Compensation Payment: Action is needed from the claimant

If you were previously self-employed you may be eligible for an additional $100 supplemental payment under the Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation (MEUC) program. If you are eligible for the MEUC program and are paid at least $1 of your underlying unemployment benefit amount for any week of unemployment, you will also receive a $100
supplemental MEUC payment. This is provided in addition to FPUC. After you submit documentation and the state confirms your information, you do not need to take any additional action to receive this supplemental payment. Continue to file your claim each week for the unemployment benefit you are currently receiving.

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146 thoughts on “Do I Need to Take Any Action or Reapply To Get Extended Unemployment Benefit Weeks Under PUA, PEUC, EB or $300 FPUC – Updated for September 2021 Extension”

    • Ummm…that is an issue. The 1099 is saying you were paid 5k in unemployment. So that’s what the IRS will use. If you only got 3K you need to follow up with your state UI agency to get the missing funds.

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  1. Can ANYONE PLZ HELP ME OUT HERE??? I I WAS ONLY ELIGIBLE 4 THE PUA unemployment. So Did my weekly claims on it .My State of Alabama Ended the PUA Early. On June19th . I Quit Filing my weekly claims after that cuz I did not qualify for Reg .Unemployment . The last thing I had to do was fax them my last year income tax return & my 1099 for the 2020& I did that. I have Not Received ANYTHING @ALL& NO IT IS SHOWING I HAVE NO CLAIM ON FILE! WHAT THE HE K IS GOING ON?? DO I NEED TO REAPPLY OR WHAT? HOW CAN I GET MY 7 WEEKS I CLAIMED & WHAT THE HECK HAPPENED TO THEM? AT TIME I FAXED DOCUMENTS IN IT SAID NO FURTHER ACTION WAS NEEDED FROM ME.AND ALTHOUGH AL PUA HAD ENDED. I WOULD STILL BE PAID FOR THE WEEKS I’D CLAIMED… BUT I’VE BEEN PAID ZERO & DAYS I HAVE ZERO NOW& B4/WAS GONNA BE $413 WEEKLY FOR THOSE WEEKS . PLZ IF ANYONE CAN HELP ME PLZ TELL ME WHAT TO DO! BEEN CALLING THAT # EVERYDAY FOR LIKE 4 WEEKS & NEVER GET THRU TO GET AN APPT. TO TALK TO ANYONE!! SO HERE I AM JUST STUCK KINOWING NOTHING & NO MONRY EITHER

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  2. It says if payment not issued in 7 days contact us thats what it says on my online account PUA DOES THAT MEAN IM GETTING MY BACKPAY OR WHAT

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  3. Hi hopefully someone could help me ! I’m in pa I only ever received the pua for a total of 49 weeks paid my 9,000 and now my benefits are exhausted. Can I reopen the claim or can I apply for the peuc thing or what do I do please help

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    • You should have been able to get up to 75 weeks under the latest extension. You cannot go from PUA to PEUC unless you go back to regular UI first, which means showing evidence of W2 income. Did you get re-employed and lose your job again? Also make sure you review documentation your agency sent you to keep getting benefits.

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    • I just filed pua got approved I’ve been out of work since early 2020 Willey first payment be one big lump sum or what?

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  4. I am very disappointed in our system. It already has been a year and out of our control . No one answers the phone or responds. I had to reapply after March 20th and have not gotten anything. Just keep certifying each week hoping for the best. No luck yet. Welcome to America! Lost all hope in our system. Rich get Richer and the poor get poorer.

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  5. Its all messy and we have to fight and beg and lose sleep and sacrifice, hunger, unpaid bills, etc. The United States of America??? Really???

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  6. So mine is ending 4/24 up coming next saturday so my last file is the 18th sunday and i will get my money money night after midnight. So on that tuesday i should refile and new claim right? Bc i have about $7,000+ left it says

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  7. Hi Bob,
    I’m exactly in the same situation like you are. Have you received any payment and letters from IDES? I’m not and today is 9th day I’m waiting for callback from them. Their webside and info on voice mail tell we have to wait for correspondence and continue to certify. Should we have to reapply claim to get extension of PEUC(ARPA)?
    Could you please answer?
    Thank you
    Barb

    Reply
  8. If anyone could assist me in this problem I’m having with my Maryland Unemployment I’d be beyond appreciative. My PEUC literally ended the week of when the ARPA(American Rescue Plan Act) passed on March 14th. Last time when they did that 11 week extension back in December 11th(I think was the exact date) my benefits were exhausted and then they passed that 11 week extension and later with in that week I had my balance go up. But now my PEUC is exhausted and it’s now asking me to apply for the PUA. I dont want to apply for the PUA and then they put the extra funding in for the extension of the PEUC, or it might hold my claim in limbo or something. With the possibility of if being held in limbo that is was I’m afraid of because Maryland’s unemployment telephone lines have been a nightmare. I’ve called all week from 7am to 6pm ALL DAY LONG with no answer and what’s worse is it says you can be put on a call back waiting list but that’s a HUGE LIE. They dont even allow you to leave a call back number. I am afraid to apply for the PUA and then it mess up my PEUC. Please if anyone at all has any advice towards this you would be helping me out so soo much. Thank you too, to whoever’s wrote this article in such detail aswell. It’s really probably helped so many families/individuals(just like me) in this very confusing time, and I just wanted to say a personal thank you. But please if anyone can provide me some guidance on this matter I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you so very much.

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    • The worst part is knowing that these commissioner and high paid executives were asked “incase of an emergency situation, could you maintain and/or operate to your full potential?” They ask that even at McDonalds.
      VEC Commissioners #EpicFail. Hired almost 250 emp. Who had no prior knowledge to explain the claimants their “Next Steps.”
      Virgins did not care when they placed these people in high positions to explain to them the importance of getting claims processed so that’s Parents, GodParents, Caregivers would not have to send their child or loved one to another relatives to live. Or consider the environment for that child or loved one will have to return to…how it was so abusive and toxic. Explain to a claimant how to deliver such a blow like that to someone they love. Ive worked in billing and some day I was at work until 9pm and right back at 8am cause I knew I had an obligation and responsibility to not only myself but to the company I was employed by.
      You wanna get more vaccines to people?
      Give them their benefits so that’s they can be motivated to get the shot…motivated to be back with their families that they can somehow provide for.
      This is Exactly like the Snow storm in Texas where President Biden Called for explanations as well as resignations. These are my opinions as well as 1.8million Virginians .
      Signed -someone who is distraught and disappointed at the person who decided to do the interview that day, Who thought America only ran from 8:15am-5pm

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    • Yeah but do I need to file for a new claim to get it extended? Or just continue to file my weekly claims?

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      • Continue to file certification. No action needed. But may be slight delay in payments starting depending on state. I’m in Illinois and my year ended 3/20/21. I filed as normal this week 4/6/21. It let me certify. I usually see the money by today ( Thursday) and have not seen my payment yet. They say it’s four to the added inputs on their system for the (ARP) extension till Sept. 6, 2021. But if it delays till I certify again in 2 weeks, and system is up they will pay retroactive. It sucks but what can you do. Our state has the same problem with calling Employment office, but if you go through all the prompts, you can leave callback #. But callbacks can be 2-4 weeks. Just look online for questions/answers. Hope this helped. If IDES is reading this. I certified 4/6/21. And nothing in payment history indicating a direct deposit yet. I usually see the deposit in a couple days. What’s up with that. Please advise.

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        • Hi Bob,
          I’m exactly in the same situation like you are. Have you received any payment and letters from IDES? I’m not and today is 9th day I’m waiting for callback from them. Their webside and info on voice mail tell we have to wait for correspondence and continue to certify. Should we have to reapply claim to get extension of PEUC(ARPA)?
          Could you please answer?
          Thank you
          Barb

    • Lol. Sure they have. I have 11 weeks in my NJ unemployment account! And from what I was told, the next extension thru September as well! And I can’t have it. I’ve been told I have to wait! They said “WE HAVEN’T REVIEWED YOUR CLAIM”? They did, have the email to prove it. AND WHEN DID THE DOL START PUTTING MONEY IN PPL’s UI ACCOUNTS BEFORE A REVIEW? It’s all bullshit!! I’m currently living on water and breakfast cereal! No joke! And If I continue to get nothing? At the end of April it’ll be 4 months and I’ll be homeless!! So thanks NEW JERSEY!! Was born here, raised here, bought two homes here, paid taxes here, and worked for 35+ Yrs. And this great state decided to thank me for all those yearS with LIES!!!?? My life will never be the same again. A brand new Billion dollar unemployment system implemented last year, and they can’t change a simple DATE, much less get the new benefits into the system on time!! I’m betting anyone with a social security number ending between 8500 and 9000 is having the exact same issue. I believe that they’re rotating the stock, so to speak. But this time they’re taking the ones in front (ppl who’ve been collecting for 12 months) and putting them in the back of the line. This way not everyone is getting paid at the same time. To think that they wouldn’t do something like that is preposterous!! New Jersey is among the top states with the highest unemployment rate. Me and 1,000’s of others on Twitter? Are having our lives, and everything we’ve built for our future and that of our kids, destroyed because of it. You may think I’m over reacting? But I assure you, I’m not! When you collect for 12 months? You don’t save money for 12 months! And when you’re hit with a 4 month delay? You’re screwed!! I’ve said it a few times on here, and I’ll say it again for the ones in the back! Had a six figure job and it’s gone, brand new apartment (six months in to a 5 year lease) security deposit and a month and a half rent gone, 18 month old BMW gone, and the 20k that I saved working that new 6 figure job gone! NJDOL just shrugs their shoulders and tells me “SIR!! you are not special! Ya need to wait in line like every one else” lol. My 19 year old daughter has been collecting as well, not one delay at all. She was even reminded of the review 4 weeks beforehand, so I’d say that others are being treated special. I was reviewed, in February I received an email tellin me to certify as usual. And my claim status showed the 11 weeks in my balance. Yet I haven’t been reviewed yet? Bullshit!!! If you think for one second that the big wigs in Jersey or the state you or anyone else resides, are for the people? You’re delusional! They don’t give a rats ass about you or me. There were a lot of Trump haters out there. I wasn’t one of them. The government is and always was corrupt! And Trump knew it, wanted to clean it up, and was hog tied every time. What these Trump haters never realized? He WAS FOR US!! He had nothing to gain out of becoming president! He’s already a millionaire, and that’s pretty much all you get when your term is done! $$$! Book tours and bullshit. And right now!! This here delay? Is a direct result of Trump NOT BEING HERE! Again, if you don’t believe that? I feel sorry for ya. Just to clarify, this wasn’t aimed at the person I replied to. Honestly it wasn’t. But I feel the need to start opening my mouth at this point. I’m even reaching out to the local newspaper and a popular online news outlet. Want to tell them my story, the real story, and the real reason for the delay. I’m doin this for everyone that’s currently in my shoes. I’m with all of you. And we need to stick together on this. I can’t be the only one who’s life was smacked in the face by a bat with NJDOL stamped on it. Good luck to everyone. And email me if your interested in voicing your story. It will help!!!!

      Reply
    • My benefits are exhausted and I filed my weekly claim and it says your certified for the week of whatever but it says week 72 and it says in progress with $0 at the end what does that mean

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